Where Billy Napier sits in USA TODAY's rankings of SEC coaches

Billy Napier is entering his third season with the Florida football program and some could argue that this could be a make-it-or-break-it year for the Gators head coach.

With an 11-14 record during his head coaching career in Gainesville, Napier needs to have a winning season in hopes of keeping his job safe — but it certainly doesn’t help to have the toughest schedule in the country. And unfortunately, that’s what comes with the reality of today’s SEC.

USA TODAY Sports writer Blake Toppmeyer ranked Napier towards the bottom of the list of SEC head coaches entering the 2024 season at No. 14. It will be interesting to see if the Florida head coach can shock the country and somehow make it a competitive season for the Gators.

What USA TODAY says about Napier

“Napier finally dropped his lukewarm approach to the transfer portal this offseason, and he assembled his best roster to date. Too little, too late? Even Steve Spurrier questioned the program’s direction. That’s tough to live down,” Toppmeyer wrote.

Toppmeyer went on to mention how time has essentially run out for Napier and this is the year to prove he can turn things around. But again, the schedule doesn’t particularly help him and his team out.

“If Napier had the benefit of a longer runway, he might eventually generate momentum, but Florida isn’t known for patience, and the schedule is brutal.”

Top 10 SEC coaches

Toppmeyer has Kirby Smart (Georgia Bulldogs) at the top of the list followed by Brian Kelly (LSU Tigers), Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Crimson Tide) and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss Rebels), rounding out the top five.

Josh Heupel (Tennessee Volunteers) came in at sixth followed by Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri Tigers), Mark Stoops (Kentucky Wildcats), Hugh Freeze (Auburn Tigers) and Mike Elko (Texas A&M).

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.